Also written F6 or F
F 6th is built from F, A, C, and D. The default voicing on bass places F in the bass and includes an open D string.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F 6th uses the formula 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th interval from F to D gives the chord its bright, settled color. Compare it with F major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
F 6th works as the I chord in F major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression F–B♭–C–F. It suits bright funk lines and pop bass parts. Try it over F major or F 5th.
The F6/A inversion places the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. For a lower, more grounded sound, use the F6/C inversion at the 8th fret. The F6/D inversion at the 10th fret offers a compact alternative.
F 6th is played in open position as 1 3 0 2: index finger on the E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The D string rings open.
Tip — The open D string must ring cleanly while three fingers fret notes on adjacent strings, requiring precise finger placement.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (6) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (3) |
F 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 3 5: middle finger on the E string at fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, index finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (3) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (6) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (5) |
F 6th is played at the 7th fret as 8 8 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and ring finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (5) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (3) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (6) |
F 6th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 10: index finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and ring finger on the G string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (6) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (3) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (1) |
F 6th adds the major 6th (D) to the major triad, while F major 7th adds the major 7th (E). The 6th creates a softer, less dissonant color than the 7th.
F 6th appears in D natural minor as the III chord, but its major quality makes it less common in minor progressions. It is more idiomatic in major keys.
The F6/A inversion at frets 5-5-3-5 is compact but still requires a stretch. The default voicing at frets 1-3-0-2 is the easiest because it uses an open string.